Volume 7, Issue 4, April – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
The Level of Trust of the Community
towards Public and Private Security
Jay-Lynne May S. Escalona
Abstract:- The purpose of this research study was to
assess the level of trust given by the community to the
private security and police personnel for public safety in
the Municipality of San Nicolas.
The theoretical framework of this research was
anchored on social trust theory and institutional trust
theory. Social trust theory indicates that social support is
an important concept in this theory. When individuals
perceive a high level of social support, they hold a high
level of trust in society, which motivates them toward
positive behavior. While the institutional trust, citizens
expect institutions to perform efficiently, effectively,
fairly and ethically in accordance with the roles assigned
to them by law or with social norms in the eyes of
citizens.
The study employed a mixed methods research
design and descriptive type data analysis used to
describe the level of trust and factors affecting the trust
of the community towards private security and police
personnel for public safety. Data were collected from 25
respondents, selected randomly from the Municipality of
San Nicolas. Moreover, structured survey questionnaire
and an open-ended interview was also used to enrich the
information in respondents’ own words on the factors
affecting their trust to the private security and police
personnel.
As a result, the level of trust of the community
towards private security for public safety is, majority
appeared to be Strongly Agree. The respondents stated
that, they are satisfied that the private security is doing
their job well and they are willing to cooperate with
them if necessary. Further, respondent also agreed that
they felt secured with the presence of private security.
However, in an open-ended interview, respondents were
asked about their experience and how did it affect their
trust towards the private security and police personnel.
Respondents were able to mention their concerns
specifically on the unfair treatment; sense of
responsibility; communication and their expectation to
public safety. Hence, the researcher suggested that
performance evaluation is imperative to provide
guidance on measuring trust within community level to
set a room for personnel’s attitude and work reliability
improvement. Because it is believed that, a police force
that fails to secure public trust and establish its
legitimacy simply does not function effectively (Hough &
Roberts, 2004).
Keywords:- Level of trust; performance evaluation; public
trust; private security; police personnel.
IJISRT22APR664 www.ijisrt.com
I. INTRODUCTION
Community trust is an established and highly honored
relationship between an agency and the citizens it has been
entrusted to serve. It is the key to effective policing, and law
enforcement executives bear the primary responsibility for
their departments’ honesty, integrity, legitimacy, and
competence (Police Integrity, 1997).To build community
trust, it is incumbent on the chiefs of police and managing
supervisors to foster an environment within their
departments in which ethical behavior is expected and each
individual is responsible for meeting those expectations
(Police Accountability and Citizen Review, 2002).
Public trust in police can enhance police effectiveness
and the legitimacy of police actions (Lea and Young, 1984;
Lyons, 2002; Sunshine and Tyler, 2003; National Research
Council, 2004). It is linked therefore to the capacity of state
police to provide basic citizen security (Goldsmith, 2003).
Trust, through its presumption of benevolence, dedication
and a shared ethical framework (Six, 2003), also enables
police legitimacy ‘the judgments that ordinary citizens make
about the rightfulness of police conduct and the
organizations that employ and supervise them’ (National
Research Council, 2004: 291). When the public views police
as legitimate (or trustworthy), public co-operation with
police in ways that assist effectiveness is more likely.
II. RESEARCH PROBLEM
Generally, the society has been more vocal in
expressing distrust to our public and private security
provider of public safety. This has remained a challenge in
all aspects of our daily lives and trust in the institution that
should keep us safe. Many citizens may not feel or perceive
themselves even more uncomfortable and unsafe in the
presence of private security or police personnel. As stated
by Hardin (1998), the first result of lawfulness is “trust”
which means that the existence of law enables people to
trust. Hence, this study attempts to discover how community
trust will affect their confidence; or will it change their
perception to the compliance of the laws.
III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this study is not only to assess
the level of trust of the community to the private security
and police personnel for public safety but also to arrive a
solution in shaping and building a strong community trust
by proposing an action plan. A plan that will positively
impact the level of protection of life and property. To
increase the prevention and detection rates of crimes. And
will enhance public confidence and satisfaction of public
safety services given by private security and police
personnel.
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Volume 7, Issue 4, April – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
IV. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The aim of this study is to assess the trust of the community
to the police and private security for public safety.
 What is the level of trust of the community to the police
for public safety?
 What is the level of trust of the community to the private
security for public safety?
 What are the factors affecting the level of trust of the
community to the police and private security for public
safety?
V. DEFINE KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
The following phrase are defined on its operational
terminologies.
 Community Trust. It is a highly honored relationship
between an agency and the citizens it has been entrusted to
serve. It is the key to effective policing, and law
enforcement executives bear the primary responsibility for
their departments’ honesty, integrity, legitimacy, and
competence (Police Integrity, 1997)
 Private Security. It is a security offered by private
companies responsible for protecting institutions and
critical infrastructure systems, protecting intellectual
property and sensitive corporate information and the like
(The Private Security Industry, 2010)
 Police. Is defined as a civil force of a national or local
government, responsible for the prevention and detection
of crime and the maintenance of public order
(merriamwebster).
 Public Safety. It involves in protecting the public-
safeguarding people from crimes, disaster and other
potential dangers and threats. This may also include; to
prepare, integrate, coordinate and supervise all plans,
programs, projects and activities of the local government
C. Conceptual Framework
PERFORMANCE
PRIVATE SECURITY
POLICE PERSONNEL
SENSE OF
RESPONSIBILITY
Fig. 1
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ISSN No:-2456-2165
relative to the promotion and maintenance of peace and
order and the protection of life, liberty and property
(PNA).
VI. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
The study covers and only limited to assess the level of
trust of the community to the police and private security for
public safety in the Municipality of San Nicolas. The main
source of data are 10 residents of the said Municipality.
VII. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Social trust theory
This theory refers to an individual's beliefs about the
general trustworthiness of others and it is part of a person's
worldview regarding the benevolence of other human
beings. It is perceived that social support is an important
concept in this theory. When individuals perceive a high
level of social support, they hold a high level of trust in
society, which motivates them toward positive behavior.
Thus, these people are more integrated and active in their
communities and engage in pro-social behavior.
B. Institutional Trust
Institutional trust is the confidence of citizens in
institutions. Citizens expect institutions to perform
efficiently, effectively, fairly, and ethically in accordance
with the roles assigned to them by law or with social norms
in the eyes of citizens (Newton 2006; Kelleher and Wolak
2007; Warren 1999). People’s trust in institutions is not the
same kind of trust as that between each other as individuals.
It is generally learned indirectly and at a distance, usually
through the media and social intercourse (Newton 2013 and
is based on an evaluation of the performance of institutional
functions.
UNFAIR
TREATMENT
EXPECTATION
/EXPERIENCE
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The conceptual framework describes that the trust of
the community to the public and private security is based
from the personnel’s service and attitude towards the
respondents. Community trust is measured thru survey
questionnaire and an open-ended interview stating the
respondent’s experience in security, as a result, it indicates
various factors that affects the respondent’s level of trust.
Thus, thru evaluation and implementation of strategized
responsibility is purposely use to determine whether security
services are equally served and how these respondents
perceived their safety and trust. In this manner, police and
private security shall improve their behavior and attitudes
that will definitely win the trust of the community.
Believing the theory of social trust, that, trust gives shape to
a person’s worldwide and affect his or her attitude and
behavior (Lange et al., 2013).
Social trust is believed to shape a person's worldview
and affect his or her attitudes and behavior (Lange et al.,
2013). Justwan et al. (2018) reviewed STT literature and
Provided below is the statistical treatment of the data;
Point Value Range of Values Interpretation of the Level of Trust
4 3.51-4.50 Strongly Agree
3 2.51-3.50 Agree
2 1.51-2.50 Disagree
1 1.0-1.50 Strongly Disagree
IX. RESULTS, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS
In this section, analysis and interpretation of data is
presented.
The level of trust of the community towards private
security for public safety is, majority appeared to be
Indicators
I felt that the police personnel treat me with dignity and respect.
I am satisfied that they are doing their job well.
I felt confident when communicating with them.
I am willing to cooperate with them if necessary.
Call for them to report crime and suspicious activity.
I felt that police personnel try to be fair in solving problems that concerns me. 3.3
I felt secured of their presence.
Table 2: The level of trust of the community towards private security for public safety
As perceived in table 2, there are 2 indicators appeared
to have the highest mean of 3.8, the I am satisfied that they
are doing their job well andI am willing to cooperate with
them if necessary, with a descriptive interpretation of
Strongly Agree. Meanwhile, indicators, I felt that the police
personnel treat me with dignity and respect, I felt confident
when communicating with them, call for them to report
crime and suspicious activity garnered a mean of 3.6 with a
descriptive interpretation of Strongly Agree. Moreover, the
IJISRT22APR664
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
summarized individual-level consequences of social trust.
These authors found that STT has been used to discuss
individuals' social interaction, economic trade and public
health behavior.
VIII. METHODOLOGY
The researcher utilized the descriptive type data
analysis using the mixed methods to describe the level of
trust and factors affecting the trust of the community
towards private security and police personnel for public
safety. Data were collected from 25 respondents, selected
randomly from the Municipality of San Nicolas.
Moreover, structured survey questionnaire and an
open-ended interview was also used to enrich the
information in respondents’ own words on the factors
affecting their trust to the private security and police
personnel. The study used the weighted mean and a four-
point Likert scale to analyze and describe the data gathered.
Descriptor of the Level of Trust
Experienced and expectation have met
Expectation have met but not satisfied
Experienced and not satisfied
Not satisfied and expectation have not met
Strongly Agree. The respondents stated that, they are
satisfied that the private security is doing their job well and
they are willing to cooperate with them if necessary.
Further, respondent also agreed that they felt secured with
the presence of private security.
Descriptive Interpretation
Mean
3.6 Strongly Agree
3.8 Strongly Agree
3.6 Strongly Agree
3.8 Strongly Agree
3.6 Strongly Agree
Agree
3.2 Agree
indicator I felt that police personnel try to be fair in solving
problems that concerns me with a mean of 3.3 and 3.2 for I
felt secured of their presence with a descriptive
interpretation of Agree.Private security is essential to
ensuring the security and safety of persons and property, as
well as intellectual property and sensitive corporate
information. Private security officers are responsible for
protecting many of the nation institutions and critical
infrastructure systems, including industry and
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Volume 7, Issue 4, April – 2022
manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and health and
educational facilities. These services are used in a wide
range of markets, from commercial to residential
The level of trust of the community towards police
personnel for public safety garnered the majority of Strongly
Agree wherein respondents prefer to Call for the police
personnel in reporting crimes and suspicious activity and
some agreed that, they are satisfied that the police personnel
are doing their job well.
Table shows that, the highest mean of 4.0 indicates that
the respondents would prefer to call for the police personnel
to report crime and suspicious activity, followed by I am
willing to cooperate with them if necessary with a mean of
3.9, I felt that the police personnel treat me with dignity and
respect and I felt secured of their presence with both mean
of 3.6 all garnered the descriptive interpretation of Strongly
Agree. Meanwhile, indicators I felt that police personnel try
to be fair in solving problems that concerns me with a mean
of 3.5, I felt confident when communicating with them with a
mean of 3.3, I am satisfied that they are doing their job with
a mean of 3.0 garnered a descriptive interpretation of Agree.
Public trust is a core requirement to secure the cooperation
of public with the police and the compliance to the law
(Jackson & Bradford, 2010). It is considered as a social
foundation and if coupled with other elements such as arm
Indicators
I felt that the police personnel treat me with dignity and respect.
I am satisfied that they are doing their job well.
I felt confident when communicating with them.
I am willing to cooperate with them if necessary.
Call for them to report crime and suspicious activity.
I felt that police personnel try to be fair in solving problems that
concerns me.
I felt secured of their presence.
Table 3: The level of trust of the community towards police personnel for public safety
the law just and equal, feels like they only protecting
politicians and persons with reputation.”
In contrary, a respondent also said;
“As a member of the community my trust to the private
security, they are more responsible to their duties in terms of
public safety. I know that they are not just doing their job
alone, but considering people’s situation in any
circumstance.”
Respondent states;
“Police personnel and private security shall maintain
their communication and good relationship with the
community. Because, as I observed from the news, thou
they are both governed by the same principles of public
safety, people were still left with fear. I can say that I do not
fully trust them.”
IJISRT22APR664 www.ijisrt.com
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
and resources (Newton, 1999) become a coherent power to
rule. Jackson & Bradford (2010) see the need to measure the
trustworthiness of the police for the police to execute its role
as a civic guardian who secures public respect. They can do
these when they embody community values.
X. FACTORS AFFECTING THE LEVEL OF TRUST
OF THE COMMUNITY TO THE POLICE AND
PRIVATE SECURITY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY
In an open-ended interview, respondents were asked
about their experience and how did it affect their trust
towards the private security and police personnel.
Respondents were able to mention their concerns
specifically on the unfair treatment; sense of responsibility;
communication and their expectation to public safety.
One respondent stated that;
“Up to now, my trust towards police personnel was not
yet ratified. Especially on the enforcement of their duties
and responsibilities because based on my experience in our
town, police officers are just present if they will take photos
for their reports. I'm expecting that they can already enforce
their duties and responsibilities for our town was small but
we always have problems in terms of their immediate
response and being active in enforcing their duties and
responsibilities. Further, in terms of enforcing
Mean Descriptive
Interpretation
3.6 Strongly Agree
3.0 Agree
3.3 Agree
3.9 Strongly Agree
4.0 Strongly Agree
3.5 Agree
3.6 Strongly Agree
Another respondent said;
“Some do their job, some just don’t. I’d expect that
they perform their responsibilities, however, they just don’t
do as they supposed to act.”
XI. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, although the trust level of the
community has a strong indication of safety and security
based from the gathered data. For some, they find it difficult
to attest that they feel protected as mentioned on the factors
affecting their trust. Basically, community trust is primarily
guided by their satisfaction with their experiences and their
expectations whether or not been met. Trust may depend on
the nature of encounter experience and the manner of
interactions made by private and public officers towards the
community. Some authors suggest that, those who have
positive experiences in their contact with police and feel the
police have treated them fairly and politely view the police
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Volume 7, Issue 4, April – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
positively (Engel, 2005; Sunshine and Tyler, 2003; Tyler [11.] Edu.https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?r
and Huo, 2002). Community experiences on the eferer=https://www.goog
performance of public and private security services can le.com/&httpsredir=1&article=3100&context=utk_gr
influence the level of trust to an agency/institution. It is also addiss
reasonable to believe that when a police force fails to secure [12.] Trust and Public Policy. (2017). OECD Public
public trust and does not display sense of respect no matter Governance Reviews.
how competent they are, community trust erodes. https://www.oecdilibrary.org/docserver/9789264268
920en.pdf?expires=1617763677&id=id&accna
XII. RECOMMENDATION me=guest&checksum=3DC0E276A9E74D43B94C2
169AAC9B6F0
Leading by example reinforce the credibility of an
institution. It is highly recommended that a good and high
standard of behavior catches the heart of the public where
trust is built. Service shall deliver with respect to the
fairness of policyprovision and outcomes. Performance
evaluation is imperative to provide guidance on measuring
trust within community level to set a room for personnel’s
attitude and work reliability improvement. Because it is
believed that, a police force that fails to secure public trust
and establish its legitimacy simply does not function
effectively (Hough & Roberts, 2004)

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